DISABILITY HEALTH COALITION
Disability will touch the lives of most Californians
The Disability Health Coalition is a coalition of organizations with the common goal of increasing access to health care for people with disabilities.
 7.8 million California adults, more than 1 in 4, live with some kind of disability. That figure will dramatically increase in the next 30 years as the baby boom generation enters late life, the time of greatest risk of disability.
1.1 million working-age Californians with disabilities – 1 in 5 – have no health insurance; 1.5 million were uninsured during all or part of the previous year.
Remove Barriers to Physical & Programmatic Access: People with disabilities must be able to use all health care facilities, services, and programs. Health care facilities must provide accessible exam and diagnostic equipment to ensure quality care for people with disabilities. Health plans and health care providers must be held accountable to federal and state laws that prohibit disability discrimination and require access and accommodation.
Guarantee Integrated Long-Term Care: Fully funded, community-based, long-term care must be available in the home to support personal independence and family life. Services and medical supplies must not be limited by “homebound” requirements.
Provide Durable Medical Equipment & Assistive Technology: Provide appropriate devices that allow consumers to independently engage in home and community activities. Providers must assist with selection and use of devices.
Coordinate Chronic Care Services: Health care services for people with disabilities are often disjointed. To increase continuity, a multi-disciplinary team approach must be used to coordinate the multiple services and providers needed by consumers.
Eliminate Work Disincentives: Health care must be designed so people with disabilities do not have to choose between working and maintaining continuous, comprehensive health care.
Promote Wellness: Reform must invest in health promotion and disease prevention efforts that account for the diverse needs of people with disabilities, including the prevention of secondary conditions. People with disabilities should have access to specialists and choice of providers.
Guarantee Mental Health Parity: Reform must commit to assuring mental health coverage at the same level as physical health coverage.
Ensure Affordability: Prescription drug coverage, premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and other out-of-pocket expenses must be affordable.
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